Mobile apps provide a great platform to connect with those who truly value your services, providing a unique conduit through which you can build loyalty and add value.​With the ubiquity of smartphones in society, a simple mobile website may no longer be enough for companies to stay competitive. As the app market grows, so does usage among small to mid-sized businesses.

By providing mobile apps, companies have a manageable, affordable way to:

Connect with customers

Reward loyalty

Promote products and services, building connections that may otherwise be unavailable.

Mobile apps are a bridge to online connections, with prospects and customers, that may otherwise be unavailable.

Types of Mobile AppsWhile they have a lot of benefits, not all mobile apps are made equal. Many are designed with entertainment in mind, or are extensions of social media platforms, (such as Facebook and Twitter). Some apps facilitate productivity and workflow, (such as Evernote and Trello).Apps are most commonly divided into three main buckets: utility apps, productivity apps, and immersive apps.

Utility apps are the simplest. These include little else besides the basics, offering a screen or two of necessary data without frills or features. These apps, which include calculator, weather, and traffic apps, focus on function. They feature minimal setup and a smooth, streamlined interface.

Productivity apps are a little more complex. They aim to solve a need (such as Apple Mail, Netflix, Facebook and Google Chrome). These apps tend to be hierarchical in nature, boasting lists, detailed views, toolbars, text entry, and more. This is the most common form for small business mobile apps, providing value without taking design over the top.

Immersive apps are the most in depth, focused solely on content and user experience. These apps most frequently take the form of games, (such as Pokemon Go or Angry Birds). These are often the largest and costliest to create.

Do You Need an App?With most customers spending an average of two hours or more a day on a mobile device and 50% of that time using apps, an app provides around the clock visibility. Today's smartphone users download an average of 8.8 apps a month, and use 74% of apps on a repeated basis, indicating strong success rates for modern mobile apps.

Over 80% of smartphone users begin the day by checking their phones. With such a large market to tap into, your app can put your brand in the forefront, building connections with those who are in the market for your products and services.

Boost Traffic and Brand AwarenessYour app can include links and connections to your website, helping users to reach your page and explore more about your business. Your website can also include quick response (QR) codes, which are barcodes that users can scan via their phones to download your mobile app in the Apple or Samsung app store. Including QR codes on your website will help to tie in your app with your overall brand identity.

Improve User ExperiencesIn general, mobile apps are simpler and more straightforward than stand-alone websites, providing easy and convenient access to services and information. When designed correctly, a mobile app is an optimal way to present information to mobile users, providing a great experience that will keep them coming back. An app can provide an easier way for customers to use your services, making it more likely that users will spend money with you.

Drive RevenueApps also function as revenue channels, whether through advertising or paid use, leading to a great way to market your business without hurting your bottom line.

App Features and FunctionsIdeally, your app should deliver necessary services and information. These can include an account profile, bill pay services, purchase or subscription options and more. The goal here is convenience, providing necessary information in a format that is easy to use and hassle-free. If your app is extremely limited, too busy, or full of tech glitches, you may drive customers away rather than attracting them to your services.

The Selective mobile app offers a quick, convenient platform for customers to view their accounts, pay bills, make claims and locate service providers, all from the home page. The design is streamlined and straightforward with a menu that makes navigation simple. Customers can access exactly what they need with a few simple taps, providing a great experience that makes the Selective app worth having, keeping, and using.